What are good home tick bite treatments for dogs?

A:

Quick Answer

To treat a tick bite on a dog, remove the tick, and apply rubbing alcohol to the bite. The dog should be examined by a veterinarian if the bite becomes inflamed or if the animal becomes ill after being bitten.

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To remove the tick, use pointed tweezers, and apply a small amount of alcohol to the tick. Pull the tick out using a straight motion, and do not jerk the tick out of the pet's skin so as to ensure the head is intact. The tick's head should not be left in the dog's body. If the head is left in the body, remove it and apply alcohol to the bite. The tick can be preserved in alcohol to show the veterinarian if an appointment is scheduled.

Inflammation or itching caused by a tick bite can be treated with an anti-allergy cream approved for use by a veterinarian. Itching and irritation that persists for more than a few days should be evaluated by a veterinarian. Some types of ticks can cause illnesses that require professional treatment. Any serious symptoms, such as fatigue and loss of appetite, should also be evaluated by a veterinarian to ensure the animal hasn't contracted a tick-borne illness that requires more intensive care.

Tick-borne illness can be contracted within just a few hours. In warm weather, check the dog for ticks daily, and remove any parasites as soon as possible to help prevent Lyme disease and other illnesses.